Swiping away tears, she flung her arms around his throat and buried her face in his neck.
Dull pain in my chest forced my gaze upward, where I paid attention to the shapes clouds made. Vaughn’s attention lit on me. I hadn’t seen him and I hadn’t looked, but I felt his interest. At least one of the three of us was enjoying this awkward meeting. I was…I don’t know, empty?
“Lourdes.”
My chin lifted another notch. Pride kept my spine straight and shoulders back. Both failed me when Rhys’s large palm settled on my thigh. Blinking dust from my eyes, I managed to glance down without moisture spilling over my cheeks. I was dry-eyed and thankful for it.
“There’s someone I’d like to introduce you to.” He offered me a hand.
I ignored him and slid to the ground, straightening my layers of suffocating clothes.
Between Rhys and the beautiful Salticidae female, the elder chuckled. His eyes might have once been the fresh green of summer grasses. His white head of hair was divided by two fading streaks of black. His wrinkled hands were the exact color of Rhys’s darkly tanned skin.
“Lourdes, Maven of the Araneidae, this is Masikookyang, the povosqa of the Salticidae clan.”
I tried placing the term, but failed. Perhaps it was another word for elder? The deference Rhys paid Masikookyang qualified him for that distinction with ease.
Masikookyang pitched forward as he extended his hand, and I reached for his elbow, but Rhys and the female hoisted him up and helped him regain his balance. He snarled something low at them.
To me, he said, “The two gods have blessed your union with Kookyangwhoya.” He presented his cheek, and I bent to press my lips to his weathered skin. “It is a good match.”
“Thank you.” Poor dear, he must have confused Rhys with one of his clansmen.
Muttering something in the same foreign tongue, the female blushed my way. “Forgive Old Father. He means no disrespect.” She hesitated. “I am Kokyangwmana. You may call me Mana if it pleases you. I am Old Father’s apprentice in the spirit arts.”
A faded memory nudged the edges of my mind, but it was too indistinct to be useful. “Spirit arts?”
Rhys answered for her. “The Salticidae believe that if you heal the spirit, the body will also mend. Old Father and Mana are spirit walkers.”
I struggled to form a polite response. “I see.”
“Our ways are our own.” Mana’s laugh put me at ease. “I have no doubt Hoya will enlighten you in time.”
“Will he now?” I measured Rhys’s silence, curious as to what Mana meant. I could conceive of no two clans more opposite than the Mimetidae and the Salticidae. Their diets and temperaments were polar opposites, so their beliefs must be as well. What sort of enlightenment did he have to offer? And what use was such insight to either of us?
“Mana.” His voice rang with warning. Though I was intrigued, his surly mood invited no questions.
“You said you were bound.” Her green eyes flitted between me and Rhys. “So I assumed…”
“What is it, Mana?” I prompted her when Rhys made no move to engage her.
“I overstepped my bounds. I apologize.” She cleared her throat. “Your partisan said you wish to bathe? I have nothing as fine as the clothes you are wearing, but I offer my best.”
I frowned as they avoided eye contact with one another, and with me. When neither elaborated, I stifled my hurt and assured myself their confidences didn’t matter. “Thank you, but I should meet with Sikyakookyang and Chinedu before relaxing. I wish to honor your clan heads as I expect travelers to honor mine.”
More color rose in her cheeks. “It is as you wish, Maven.”
I touched her arm. “You are being very kind.” Her kindness made it hard for me to dislike her. “I will accept your offer once I’ve done my duties to your maven and her paladin.”
“Allow me a moment to settle Old Father.” She looped her arm through his. “Then I will take you to my aunt.”
Of course she would have beauty as well as influence. I managed a “Thank you.”
Rhys helped Mana shuffle Old Father to the doorway he’d exited while I leaned on Brun. Warm fur cushioned my back. His annoyed grunts comforted as I watched the two of them, so dark and perfectly matched, leave me on the street as they dipped inside a darkened doorway.
I rubbed my calloused fingers and wondered if hers were made soft by dayflower soap.
“Maven, would you follow me?” Mana rested her hand on Rhys’s forearm.
For a moment, I thought he’d meant to come for me, escort me where we were headed, but her touch stopped him in his tracks.
“Of course.” I ignored the soft pat she gave him before turning toward the nearest ladder and indicating I should climb. I shook my head. “After you.”
“I will do as you wish, Maven.” She climbed with grace I doubted I’d manage.
Gripping the ladder, I allowed myself a second of peace, then did my best to keep my eyes slanted skyward. The farther my feet hung from the ground, the harder it became to release my hands from their hold on the ladder. It was as if someone had honeyed each rung, and I stuck.
“I won’t let you fall.” Rhys’s voice drifted up to me.
“It’s not the fall that worries me.” Compact earth and a hard landing, those concerned me.
He laughed and spread his palm across the small of my back. Heat radiated from his fingers, the strength in them assuring me no harm would come to me while he remained near.
I braved step after step until I ran out of ladder and Mana reached for me. I tried letting go, I did, but nothing happened. I froze when Rhys covered my back, stretching until he pried my fingers free and shoved me toward Mana, off the ladder. I landed in a sprawl across Mana.
“Excuse me.” I sounded oddly dignified considering where I sat. “I’m unused to heights.”
Scrambling backwards, I collided with Rhys.
“You use ladders at home.” Why did he sound so amused?
“They’re in tunnels. You go…well, up, to the ground. Not…” I pointed at the sky, “…up.”
He leaned in as though to kiss my cheek, and I flinched. Please, not in front of her.
Frowning, he straightened. “We’ll keep this visit short. Then we’ll see to food and rest.”
“Bathing is my first priority.” I marveled my smell hadn’t driven him to keep a discreet distance. “I’d rather spend another night in the saddle hungry but clean.”
This time, I failed to dodge the press of his lips to my throat. “As my maven wishes.”
Tingles spread through my neck, down my center, sparking in my toes.
“Come.” He guided me by my elbow through the nearest doorway.
Light graced the small room through slats in the roof. Seated upon two woven cushions was a lovely female with inky black hair and harsh green eyes I recognized as Sikyakookyang. To her right, Chinedu, a dark-skinned man with nut-brown eyes, appraised me. I’d thought Rhys familiar when I first saw him. Now I knew why. His eyes peered out from the maven’s face.
How was this resemblance possible?
Rhys addressed the pair in their native tongue, and I wished I understood even a hint of what he said. Whatever he told them made their eyes darken with what struck me as concern.
“Hoya says he is bound to you.” The maven folded and refolded her hands.
“I’m unfamiliar with Hoya.” My skin tightened. Was that a short form of what Old Father had called Rhys? They shortened Kokyangwmana to Mana and now Kookyangwhoya to Hoya?
“Forgive me.” Her expression shifted yet again. “Rhys says he is bound to you.”
“He is.” I reached for him instinctively.
He captured my arm, threaded our fingers and brought my hand to his lips.
Mana stood behind him. I didn’t want to think how his gesture affected her.
“Good.” A smile ghosted Sikyakookyang’s mouth. “Yours is a good match. Our hospitality is yours for as long as you
like.” She paused. “I would speak with you on another matter—”
A rumble of sound from Rhys made her pause.
“It can wait. You have traveled far and encountered much danger. We will speak tomorrow. First, eat and rest.” She smiled. “Bathe, if Hoya—Rhys—is to be placated.”
“Thank you.” I glanced between them, but their conversation excluded me. Manners prevailed, and I swallowed my annoyance. “You are true friends to the Araneidae and are always welcome in our home.”
Sikyakookyang made a shooing motion. “Go. Rest. Talk.” Shifting on her pillow, she snuggled against Chinedu’s side, which I understood as an emphatic hint they wanted privacy.
Once we ducked outside, I squinted into the sun, casting a wary glance down the ladder.
“I’ll go first, to lead you.” Rhys got settled and extended his hand. “I won’t let you fall.”
He guided my foot in that first backward step into nothing. His solid presence at my back calmed me. Closing my eyes, I blocked out the world except for the hard male coaxing me down.
When my unsteady feet hit dirt, Rhys scooped them from under me. I let him, knowing I stank and uncaring because he held me. His arms steadied me as much as his even breathing. He cradled me, but I refused to bask in his gentle care until I knew he felt some small thing for me.
“Mana,” he called. “Will you bring supplies and our clothes, please?”
“Of course.” Her regal chin dipped. “I will meet you at the river.”
Through my exhaustion, a single thought gelled. “You said our clothes.”
“I did.” His fingers tightened. “We will bathe one another.”
I squirmed until he set me on my feet. “You and I are bathing together?” Blood leached from my cheeks. Yesterday I had owned my desire for him. Today I was unsure. Did I dare ask what his ties were to this clan? Why Vaughn gloated over his differences?
Rhys’s knuckles swiped down my cheek. “I won’t ask for more than you’re willing to give.”
At least that made one of us. How could I share my body with this male until some facts were straightened to our satisfaction? We may be bound, we might soon wed, but I would have his fidelity if I could not have his heart. It may be unfair to him, but the alternative was no option at all. Selfish to crave some piece of him, but I did. If I could not be his one, I would be his only.
Chapter 8
Cool water flowed over my bare toes, and I moaned with bone-deep pleasure. I untangled my braid and let my hair fall in waves past my hips. Kneeling at the river’s edge, I splashed my face and neck, tempted to dive in with my clothes on and sort the details after my skin pruned.
A restraining hand righted me before I slid into the water.
“Sorry,” I mumbled.
“You have no reason to be sorry.” Rhys massaged my shoulder. “Mana will arrive soon.”
I sat on the ground and spread my legs before me. “She’s very pretty.”
He shrugged. “I suppose.”
“It’s obvious you two are close.” My bare toes dug into dirt.
“We are.” He shifted his weight. “Is there some point you’re trying to make?”
“No.” I flicked a rock into the water. “I was merely curious as to your relationship.” I stiffened, not expecting that to burst from my mouth. Bite your tongue, Lourdes.
“Our relationship is…difficult to explain.” He rubbed the base of his neck.
Horrid pressure spread through my chest when I thought of Rhys with another female. No, I realized, not with another female, but with Mana. Forget what he claimed, it must be his venom turning me into this heart-sore creature too afraid to ask him outright what I must know.
“You don’t owe me an explanation.” No matter how I craved one.
He sank to his haunches at my side. “I think I do.” He stroked my hair. “You’re upset.”
“Your secrets are your own.” I pushed to my feet. “Even Isolde said as much.”
“My mother—what did she tell you?” Thunder rolled in his voice.
“Nothing,” I hurled at him. “She told me nothing of you, and you have told me even less.”
His expression blackened. “What about me would you like to know?”
Everything, the voice of my heart said. “Anything. Any small thing.”
“I don’t know how to answer that.” A muscle leapt in his jaw.
“Then don’t.” I turned my back on him and stripped. After all, I had nothing he hadn’t seen, hadn’t touched as he removed my clothing after our binding. Before he moved, I dove in the river and gasped at the shock of cold water. Ducking beneath the water, I screamed until my lungs ran dry of air and bubbles clogged my nose, then I kicked off the silty bottom and surfaced.
Air exploded in my lungs and I gulped greedy mouthfuls. Voice gone hoarse, I spluttered as a strong arm reeled me against a hard chest. I wriggled, but he lifted me from the water as his head lowered and his lips stole what little air I’d recovered. I sank my fingernails into his hips and tore, but he groaned with pleasure and hardened his mouth on mine, forcing me to kiss him back.
I leaned into him, hungry, hurting, my hands splayed across the roundness of his…
“You’re naked.” I bit my lip tearing our mouths apart. Stumbling, I fell backwards and water filled my nose and mouth as the river closed over my head. He fished me out, brought me surging past the surface. I wheezed and coughed as he held me to his chest and patted my back.
“I explained my plans.” With reluctance, he set me on my feet in shallower water.
“Yes, but—” Had I thought he would enter the water dressed? I covered my face with my hands. I’d thrown down the gauntlet but, “I’ve never seen a naked male. Let alone touched one.”
He rubbed my shoulder. “See one now.”
I peeked at him through my fingers. A quick dip of my gaze enflamed my cheeks, but he stood in water covering his navel. Only if I strained could I see…oh gods. I wobbled on my feet.
“It’s easy for you to say.” I sank lower and wished I would wash away. “You’ve probably seen dozens of naked females. You’ve seen me naked. This is nothing to you, but it’s all new—”
My hands were forced aside, my chin tipped up. “Is that what you think of me?”
“Yes.” I changed my mind. “No.” I sank lower still. “I don’t know.”
“What have I done to make you think so poorly of me?” He sighed. “You flinch away as though afraid I’ll bite. That, at least, is a reputation well-earned. Do you also believe I’d spend myself inside any willing female?” Hurt tempered his voice, made it soft when he might have yelled. “Is that what I am? Do you look at me and see a flesh-eater whose hungers rule him?”
I recoiled from his touch and his temper. “I don’t know what I see, Rhys. You confuse me. You’re not what I expected. You’re more, better, and it makes me want more and better from you.” I gained a pitiful bit of distance. “Your brother taunts us both with a secret you’re unwilling to share, yet you hope my opinion remains unaltered? How can it? It’s impossible.”
“Lourdes…” His voice broke.
“No, you asked. You keep asking. Let me have my say.” My feet found strength on the riverbed, and I stood tall. “I don’t understand you, but I’m fonder of you than is wise. I can’t abide not knowing where we stand. If nothing else, tell me that. Tell me who Mana is to you.”
His harsh lips curved into a beatific smile I had no defense against. “You’re jealous.”
Had he heard nothing I’d said? Of course I was. “She’s something to you. What is she?”
Instead of answering, he waded to where I stood. Trembling with anger, I forced my knees steady as he palmed the base of my neck and dragged me toe to toe with him. Rhys towered over me, his smile shining like the sun’s rays upon my face, and my treacherous heart flip-flopped.
“You are jealous.” Wonderment filled his voice. “You care for me.”
“I’ve said as much.”
Either he wasn’t listening, or what I said wasn’t sinking through his thick skull. I’d given him words. I wanted some in return. “I question your affection, not mine.”
His eyebrows slanted as a look of utter confusion crossed his features. Growling, I hooked my leg around the bend of his knees and shoved against his chest. I lost hair in his fall, but the shock on his face was worth the pain. I stood there, pleased with myself one second and then gasping the next as he dragged me under. Beneath the cool water, his mouth found its way to mine and his lips moved across them. I’m yours. I understood him as clear as if he’d spoken in my ear.
Peace suffused my limbs and tingled in the smile I could no longer hide. He was mine.
Dumbstruck by his trick, I think I would have floated blissful and unaware as I drowned beneath the pleasure of his vow. He was the one with sense enough to realize we’d both lost our air and dragged us choking to the surface. Spluttered laughter poured from me as he patted my back.
“Maven Lourdes?” The sharp, feminine gasp killed my hysteria. “Are you well?” Mana stood on the shore with stacked clothes balanced on one arm and supplies hung from the other.
Rhys pressed down on my shoulders until water rushed around my throat. “She is well.” He gave her a small smile, a fraction of the one he’d given me, and yet I found myself envious.
“Oh.” Her gaze averted. “Then I will leave your supplies by the water’s edge.”
Until he frowned down at me, I hadn’t realized my nails bit into his arm. I’d seen ursus in heat respond better to encroaching females than I did. He was mine. He’d said so.
“He’s mine.” Gods above, had I spoken aloud? Judging by Mana’s broad grin and Rhys’s patient sigh, I had.
“Yes, Maven.” Mana laughed. “He is yours. He told me as much himself.”
“I’m glad I amuse you.” I was acting out, yet I blamed her for my foul temper. Far easier for me to point the finger than accept some animal part of me wanted Rhys bathed in my scent so other females knew where he belonged—at my side—always. Until our life threads joined, such marking was ill-advised, but the need roared through me. Desire was a pale word for what I felt.
Araneae Nation: The Complete Collection Page 16